Isolation and diagnosis of the fungi associated with maize seeds collected from local markets in Karbala, Iraq

Results of isolating the fungi accompanying the maize grains stored in some warehouses, local markets and mills in Karbala Governorate, Iraq, showed that there are 11 genus of fungi including Aspergillus spp. (27.83%), Penicillium spp. (22.26%), Fusarium spp. (14.01%) Mucor spp. (5.76%), Alternaria spp. (4.80%), Acremonium spp. (2.69%) and yeast (6.14%). Seventy-three isolates of genus Fusarium were isolated from yellow corn grain samples stored in the traditional way, based on the phenotypic and microscopic characteristics of Fusarium spp. colonies and their reproductive structures, as well as by molecular methods. Seven species of fungi were recorded F. verticillioides (26.03%), F. proliferatum (20.55%), (16.44%) F. equiseti, F. oxysporium (13.7%), F. sulawenes (11%) and F. thapsinum (6.85%).